Citizens' body alarmed over recurrent flooding

Says recent rains exposed chronic administrative failures, demands urgent reforms

KARACHI:

The Karachi Citizens' Forum (KCF) held a press conference on Tuesday, expressing concern over recurring urban flooding that paralyses the city after every rainfall. The Forum noted that even a brief spell of rain damages property, disrupts businesses, results in the loss of lives, leads to the closure of schools, causes traffic gridlocks, and leaves citizens stranded on flooded roads.

The conference noted that, despite weather warnings by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the city, once again, remained unprepared this monsoon season. The conference recommended the establishment of a central authority, composed of urban planners and citizen stakeholders, to coordinate efforts among land-owning entities. It emphasised the need for a city plan addressing current challenges as well as future demands, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in infrastructure spending, which it stated should be ensured through digitisation and public oversight. Further, the conference urged prioritising public welfare initiatives, such as repairing sanitation systems, completing mass transit projects, and rehabilitating water treatment facilities, rather than allocating resources to non-essential cosmetic developments.

The conference urged thorough enforcement of environmental regulations, holding negligent officials accountable, curbing illegal encroachments, and regulating the production and use of plastic bags. It concluded by stating, "Karachi deserves competent governance, honest supervision, and a sustainable development."